Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Lismore, Australia: A Hot and Happy Place Past Review

By (MIS, Envi Studies, SUNY - Binghamton) for

Southern Cross University: Lismore - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience was absolutely worthwhile. I wish I could do it again! I now know that there are places in the world that are care-free and happy, and that's where I want to be.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

At the beginning of the semester, my classes seemed easy, but I then realized that I was in 2 science-research classes. There were some big papers, and they were graded harshly. They didn't make the classes any less fun, though.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There were always people willing to help in the international office on campus. They did what they could, and organized trips and the spring-break week-long trip, which was amazing. Very good staff.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Orion College at SCU is definitely a walk from campus, but it's the place to be. The apartments were quite dingy, but the people made up for it. Everyone takes taxis or a free shuttle to the bars. I needed to buy sheets and utensils.

* Food:

Australian food is nothing spectacular, and kind of expensive. People cook for themselves in the apartments, and get rides from any Aussies to the nearest Woolworth's food store.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There's no friendlier place to study abroad.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

While all the doors have locked, they're easily broken into, usually by friends in your apartment, but still the locks are pointless.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around AUD100. Alcohol isn't very expensive. Everyone drinks boxed wine. Food added up really quickly though.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? To have internet in your apartment costs a lot of money - like AUD35 per month. It's free in the library but data is limited. Don't buy the 6 month internet plan. It's cheaper to do a month at a time.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be open-minded once you get to school. Make friends with as many people as possible, and you'll find the people who are right for you. You have to make the effort.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Intro to Business Law
Course Department: LAW00150?
Instructor: Warwick
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I went to this class twice. All of the lectures are online. Warwick was friendly enough when I did go to class. The final wasn't too bad after studying for a day. He tells you what's on it. There were maybe 2 homework assignments throughout the entire semester.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Intro to Accounting
Course Department: ACC
Instructor: Jill
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was HARD. It seemed like it would be easy because we started out doing fun activities and working in groups and Jill is really nice, but then we started a semester-long case study that was absolute torture. While Jill is nice, the material was really difficult. While there isn't really any homework, I mean, it's accounting. I wouldn't recommend this class. Oh, and I failed the final.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Ecological and Environmental Economics for Sustainable Development
Course Department: ECO00202
Instructor: Caroline Sullivan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very, very interesting course. Caroline expected a lot of participation during discussions. She is a highly intelligent, Irish woman, who really knows what she's talking about and thinks that everyone wants to be an environmental economist. The only issue with this for study abroad students is the class requires kids to stay over the Easter break for extra classes. While I worked my way out of it, the alternative assignment was confusing. The class requires a huge research paper, also, on a topic of your choice. I learned A LOT in this class, and the students were smart. I was the only American.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Soil Processes
Course Department: AGR00214?
Instructor: John Grant
Instruction Language: English
Comments: By far, my favorite course. I still talk about it almost every day. You get to go out into the field and play with soil. There's a lot of stuff to know, and you are tested on everything on the final. There's a lab-book, but the lab is super fun and people are nice, environmental students. John is a funny guy who sounds like Steve Irwin. I was the only American in the class. There was one huge paper and one or two smaller ones, but no homework besides that.
Credit Transfer Issues: